Casey Statement on Confirmation of Representative Mike Pompeo

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following the conformation of Representative Mike Pompeo as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency:

“Representative Mike Pompeo and I have a fundamental disagreements on some key policy issues, including the Iran nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This agreement cuts off all of Iran’s pathways to a nuclear weapon and it must be strictly enforced and constantly verified. Representative Pompeo has consistently opposed the JCPOA. Since I was elected to the Senate in 2006, I have opposed torture and interrogation methods that amount to torture. Although Representative Pompeo has said he does not support torture he has failed to close the door completely on using interrogation methods that amount to torture, which national security experts say is not an effective way of gathering intelligence. Representative Pompeo’s written response to questions for the record from the Intelligence Committee only deepened my concern about how he would approach this issue. He has been a proponent of mass surveillance, including of American citizens. Finally, I am troubled by Representative Pompeo’s past statements about the American Muslim community and his alignment with groups identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as anti-Muslim hate groups. The brave women and men of the Central Intelligence Agency risk their lives every day to keep our nation safe; they deserve our support and our gratitude.”